Endoscopic stitching device for single hand operation

Abstract

A surgical stitching device is configured for single hand operation that enables passage of a suture needle through tissue with minimal operational requirement. The surgical needle is selectively securable to first and second jaws that are pivotably coupled to each other. When the first and second jaws are in an open configuration, in which, the first and second jaws are spaced apart, the suture needle is detachably secured to the first and second jaws. When the first and second jaws are in a closed configuration, in which, the first and second jaws are approximated, the suture needle is detachably secured to one of the first and second jaws and is detached from the other one of the first and second jaws. Such single hand operation facilitates procedures such as, e.g., extraterritorial loop suture closure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tool assembly for use with a surgical stitching device, the tool assembly comprising:
 a suture needle having an arcuate profile; 
 first jaw including a first elongate portion and a first securing member slidable relative to the first elongate portion to support at least a portion of the suture needle; and 
 second jaw pivotably coupled to the first jaw such that the first and second jaws are transitionable between open and closed configurations, the second jaw including a second elongate portion and a second securing member slidable relative to the second elongate portion to support at least a portion of the suture needle,
 wherein the first and second jaws configured to detachably secure the suture needle orthogonal to respective longitudinal axes defined by the first and second jaws. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The tool assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the suture needle includes a blunt end portion and a penetrating end portion, the blunt end portion and the penetrating end portion diametrically opposing each other. 
     
     
       3. The tool assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein when the first and second jaws are in the open configuration, one of the blunt end portion and the penetrating end portion of the suture needle is detachably securable to the first jaw and the other one of the blunt end portion and the penetrating end portion of the suture needle is detachably securable to the second jaw. 
     
     
       4. The tool assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein when the first and second jaws are in the closed configuration, the one of the blunt end portion and the penetrating end portion of the suture needle is detachably securable to one of the first or second jaws and the other one of the blunt end portion and the penetrating end portion of the suture needle is disengage from the other one of the first or second jaws. 
     
     
       5. The tool assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the suture needle further includes a suture attached to the blunt end portion thereof. 
     
     
       6. The tool assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second securing members of the first and second jaws are biased away from the respective first and second elongate portions. 
     
     
       7. The tool assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate portions include respective first and second receiving portions configured to receive a portion of the suture needle. 
     
     
       8. The tool assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second securing members are axially aligned with the respective first and second elongate portions. 
     
     
       9. The tool assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second securing members are movable independent of each other.